An API to provide customizable RSS feeds should be considered, to allow users to subscribe to specific thematic areas, geographic areas and so on. This way, if for example someone was interested in data on aquatic resources in the Chesapeake Bay, they could subscribe and apply filters by custom search terms, by geography of interest, thematic keywords and so on.
This could either provide notices via e-mail, or by
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Voting

The current Data.gov search tool is capable but cumbersome and does not yield desired results. We should combine and leverage capabilities in other government websites that have good search engines (and/or are planning on more improvements such as usa.gov).
We should leverage and make this search available simply on the top of the site for all users. we should also have the ability to invoke more complex search capabilities
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Voting

How do we leverage the power of Google/Bing and whatever is next to help people fin data? We need some new thinking! What is your idea? What solutions live between full text and fully structured metadata?
We can and should improve Data.gov website search per the great suggestions here. We also need the API envisioned in the ConOps. But that is not enough. We need a way to better tag and expose data Agency data so that
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Voting

Rather than organizing the data according to organizational silo's (eg. USDA, HHS, etc) recommend developing an interface that allows for multiple "views" of the same data. Taking Apple's iPhoto software as an example - the single photo dataset can be viewed according to events, photos, faces, or places. This allows the same dataset to be sliced and diced in multiple ways - unearthing interesting connections along the
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Voting

We're interested in hearing your ideas about the new site for Data.gov and how we can continue to improve. Is it easier to find information? Do you like seeing some of the apps and mashups people are creating? What do you think?

Voting

Data.gov should have a faceted search interface that provides a comprehensive overview of Data.gov content (metadata and facet counts), and a way for users to progressively refine their search criteria. Faceted search provides a good way for outsiders to better understand a big collection described by complex metadata structure.
The faceted metadata should also be shared as an Atom Feed, so that updates of new content
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Voting

Campaigns

Tell us what you're doing with data and tools from the data.gov catalogs... Show us your mashups by providing the application name or title, a URL to the application, Data.gov datasets/tools used, and a brief summary of what the application is all about.

Data.gov’s potential depends on a clear strategic intent. The Draft Data.gov CONOPS’ vision includes key principles, target audience, value to the public and government, and measures of success. Post your best ideas on strategic intent here.

Strong partnerships spur the fundamental change needed to open government data. The Draft CONOPS outlines the roles and responsibilities of key groups related to implementation. Post your best ideas on the key partnerships necessary for Data.gov’s future